2011 Griffin Poetry Prize Shortlist

The International and Canadian shortlist for the Griffin Poetry Prize has been announced. Congratulations to the seven finalists! The shortlisted books were selected by judges Tim Lilburn (Canada), Colm Toíbín (Ireland) and Chase Twichell (USA). The finalists will all be invited to read in Toronto on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, and each finalist will receive $10,000 for reading. The winners will be announced at the Griffin Poetry Prize Awards on Wednesday, June 1. Each winner will each be awarded $65,000.

Over the next week, Canadians from coast to coast are coming together to celebrate the centenary of one of Canada’s greatest and most controversial poets, Irving Layton, who would have turned 100 on March 12, 2012.

Layton’s eldest son, Max, who is coordinating this huge event, says, “The response has been overwhelming. I never dreamed there would be such an outpouring of affection for my dad."